This document summarizes the results of a longitudinal survey examining the status of state-level comprehensive environmental education programs from 1995 to 2004. Some key findings include: - The number of states reporting components of comprehensive EE programs as "in place" increased over time for elements like EE learner objectives, curriculum guides, and model schools. - National organizations like NAAEE, NEEAP, and EETAP were most frequently cited as providing helpful support to states in developing comprehensive EE programs. - Outside funding from the EPA and regional offices, as well as programs like Project WET, were commonly reported as important resources by states.

1. Results of aResults of a
Longitudinal Survey:Longitudinal Survey:
Status of State-LevelStatus of State-Level
Comprehensive EE ProgramsComprehensive EE Programs
34th
Annual NAAEE Conference
Albuquerque, New Mexico
October 2005

2. PresentersPresenters
Abby Ruskey & Richard WilkeAbby Ruskey & Richard Wilke
NEEAP & EEAW EETAP at UWSPNEEAP & EEAW EETAP at UWSP

3. Project SponsorsProject Sponsors
U.S. EPA Office of EEU.S. EPA Office of EE
EE and Training PartnershipEE and Training Partnership
National EE Advancement ProjectNational EE Advancement Project

4. Session OutlineSession Outline
• Project BackgroundProject Background
• Highlights: 1995, 1998 and 2004 SurveysHighlights: 1995, 1998 and 2004 Surveys
• Methodology for 2004 SurveyMethodology for 2004 Survey
• Project ResultsProject Results
• Conclusions and RecommendationsConclusions and Recommendations

5. Components of a Comprehensive EE ProgramComponents of a Comprehensive EE Program

6. 263
423
472
0
100
200
300
400
500
1995 1998 2004
Components of Comprehensive EE ProgramsComponents of Comprehensive EE Programs
““In Place”In Place”

7. 98
151 160
0
50
100
150
200
1995 1998 2004
Components of Comprehensive EE ProgramsComponents of Comprehensive EE Programs
““Developing”Developing”

8. 263
334
295
0
100
200
300
400
1995 1998 2004
Original 16 Components “In Place”Original 16 Components “In Place”

9. Survey DesignSurvey Design
 2004 survey includes “artifacts” column2004 survey includes “artifacts” column
 30 quantitative questions, 14 with sub-items30 quantitative questions, 14 with sub-items
 Detailed descriptions of componentsDetailed descriptions of components
 3 open-ended questions3 open-ended questions
 Online services by NAAEE TechnologyOnline services by NAAEE Technology
Services (NTS)Services (NTS)
 Survey data sorting by NTS and NEEAPSurvey data sorting by NTS and NEEAP

10. Survey DesignSurvey Design
PopulationPopulation
 NAAEE AffiliatesNAAEE Affiliates
 State agency EE SpecialistsState agency EE Specialists
 PLT, WET and WILD coordinatorsPLT, WET and WILD coordinators
ProcessProcess
 348 EE leaders contacted. 82 responded.348 EE leaders contacted. 82 responded.
 16 states re-contacted for coordinated16 states re-contacted for coordinated
responsesresponses

11. 11
15
20
12
15 14
17
20
23
15
10 10
19
37
21
25
0
10
20
30
40
50
EE Master
Plan
K-12 EE
Requirement
EE Learner
Objectives
EE
Curriculum
Guide
EE
Correlations
EE Model
Schools
1995 1998 2004
Program Components-In PlaceProgram Components-In Place

12. Program Components-DevelopingProgram Components-Developing
20
12
14
3
23
6
10
1
37
6
25
6
0
10
20
30
40
50
EE Master
Plan
K-12 EE
Requirement
EE Learner
Objectives
EE
Curriculum
Guide
EE
Correlations
EE Model
Schools
In Place Being Developed

13. 52%
48% Interdisciplinary
Subject Area
EE Learner Objectives/OutcomesEE Learner Objectives/Outcomes
in 23 Statesin 23 States

14. 0
2
4
6
8
10
Science SS Math LA Art Econ Health
EE Learner Objectives/Outcomes in 23 StatesEE Learner Objectives/Outcomes in 23 States
Subject AreasSubject Areas
10
4 4
1 1
2
10

15. 11
15
20
12
15 14
17
20
23
15
10 10
19
37
21
25
0
10
20
30
40
50
EE Master
Plan
K-12 EE
Requirement
EE Learner
Objectives
EE
Curriculum
Guide
EE
Correlations
EE Model
Schools
1995 1998 2004
Program Components-In PlaceProgram Components-In Place

16. 0
10
20
30
40
50
PLT WET WILD Other
34
25
32
50
EE Correlations in 37 StatesEE Correlations in 37 States
Curriculum ProgramsCurriculum Programs
Other Programs: Leopold Education Project, K-12 Energy Education
Program, Food-Land-People, Nature Mapping and 43 state specific programs

17. 3 4 3
15
30
18
25
32
21
27
10
13
0
10
20
30
40
50
Required EE
Training for
Teacher
Candidates
Coordinated
Inservice EE
Training
Train-the-
trainers of K-
12
Educators
Train-the-
trainers of
Nonformal
Educators
Train-the-
trainers of
University
Faculty
1995 1998 2004
Educator Training Program Components

18. 3
5
18
8
32
6
27
4
13
11
0
10
20
30
40
50
Required EE
Training for
Teacher
Candidates
Coordinated
Inservice EE
Training
Train-the-
trainers of K-
12 Educators
Train-the-
trainers of
Nonformal
Educators
Train-the-
trainers of
University
Faculty
In Place Being Developed
Educator Training Program ComponentsEducator Training Program Components

19. Assessment and RecognitionAssessment and Recognition
Program ComponentsProgram Components
3
19
12
36
28
4
6
9
0
10
20
30
40
50
State Assessment that
Includes EE
EE
Awards/Recognition
Environmental
Literacy Assessment
EE Certification
1995 1998 2004

20. 12
3
6
4
28
1
9
9
0
10
20
30
40
50
State Assessment
that Includes EE
Environmental
Literacy Assessment
EE
Awards/Recognition
Certification
In Place Being Developed
Certification, Assessment and RecognitionCertification, Assessment and Recognition
Program ComponentsProgram Components

21. Structure ComponentsStructure Components
22
25
19
16
14
17
20
18
12
23
28
21
45
47
45
11
21
46
38
0
10
20
30
40
50
EE Board EE Office EE Centers Interagency
Committee
EE
Association
Online EE
Database
EE
Newsletter
1995 1998 2004

22. Structure ComponentsStructure Components
19
6
17
4
12
8
21
4 45
0
21
13
38
5
0
10
20
30
40
50
EE Board EE Office EE Centers Interagency
Committee
EE
Association
Online EE
Database
EE
Newsletter
InPlace Being Developed

23. 31%
25%
25%
6%
13% Department of Education
Department of Natural Resource
Department of Environmental
Protection
Governor's Office
Other
EE Offices in 17 StatesEE Offices in 17 States
Full Time Employees=75Full Time Employees=75
Part Time Employees=16Part Time Employees=16

24. 21
27
21
24
32
36
5
8
3
0
10
20
30
40
50
EE Grants Program EE Funding Sources EE Trust Fund
1995 1998 2004
Funding ComponentsFunding Components

25. Sources of FundingSources of Funding
 Grants and Donations= 34 statesGrants and Donations= 34 states
 General Revenue = 21 statesGeneral Revenue = 21 states
 Pollution Fines = 14 statesPollution Fines = 14 states
 Specialty License Plates = 12 statesSpecialty License Plates = 12 states
 Lottery Proceeds = 3 statesLottery Proceeds = 3 states
 % of Sales Tax = 2 states% of Sales Tax = 2 states
 OtherOther (hunting license, mill tax, etc.)(hunting license, mill tax, etc.) = 13 states= 13 states

26. 21
4
36
4
3
5
0
10
20
30
40
50
EE Grants Program EE Funding Sources EE Trust Fund
In Place Being Developed
Funding ComponentsFunding Components

27. 0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
<100,000
100-224,999
250-499,999
500-749,999
750-1,000,000
>1,000,000
Amount FundedAmount Funded
16
6
1 1

28. 0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
0-25 26-50 51-75 76-100 >100
Number of Grants FundedNumber of Grants Funded
17
3
1

29. 21
4
36
4
3
5
0
10
20
30
40
50
EE Grants Program EE Funding Sources EE Trust Fund
In Place Being Developed
Funding ComponentsFunding Components

30. Not In Place
29
In Place
19
Being
Developed
2
In Place Being Developed Not In Place
EE LegislationEE Legislation

31.  What resources and/or services have beenWhat resources and/or services have been
particularly helpful in supporting theparticularly helpful in supporting the
development of the components ofdevelopment of the components of
comprehensive EE programs in your state?comprehensive EE programs in your state?
 What national and/or regional organizations andWhat national and/or regional organizations and
agencies have provided needed support?agencies have provided needed support?
Open-ended Questions #1-2Open-ended Questions #1-2

32.  Funding fromFunding from outsideoutside of the stateof the state
U.S. EPA Office of EEU.S. EPA Office of EE
EETAP partners conduitsEETAP partners conduits
U.S. EPA Regional OfficesU.S. EPA Regional Offices
 OnlyOnly one stateone state mentioned in-state sourcementioned in-state source
 Four states listed other outside sourcesFour states listed other outside sources
including corporate, foundation, and otherincluding corporate, foundation, and other
federal agenciesfederal agencies
Responses to Open-ended QuestionsResponses to Open-ended Questions
$$$$$$

33.  NAAEE (27 states)NAAEE (27 states)
Guidelines publications and training-8 statesGuidelines publications and training-8 states
Annual conference (affiliates workshop)-7 statesAnnual conference (affiliates workshop)-7 states
 NEEAP (20 states)NEEAP (20 states)
State CB programs and services-15 statesState CB programs and services-15 states
Leadership Clinics - 22 statesLeadership Clinics - 22 states
 EETAP (15 states)EETAP (15 states)
State Capacity Building programs-11 statesState Capacity Building programs-11 states
Certification- 3 statesCertification- 3 states
Responses to Open-ended QuestionsResponses to Open-ended Questions
National Programs-Top ThreeNational Programs-Top Three

34.  EPA OEE (17 states) and Regional Offices (13 states)EPA OEE (17 states) and Regional Offices (13 states)
 Project WET (7 states), WILD (6 states), PLT (6 states)Project WET (7 states), WILD (6 states), PLT (6 states)
 State Education and Environment RoundtableState Education and Environment Roundtable
(4 states)(4 states)
 US Fish and Wildlife Service (3 states)US Fish and Wildlife Service (3 states)
 Several other organizations and agencies listed by 1-2Several other organizations and agencies listed by 1-2
statesstates
Responses to Open-ended QuestionsResponses to Open-ended Questions
National Programs, continuedNational Programs, continued

35.  Staff/programs and committed directors in stateStaff/programs and committed directors in state
agencies (14)agencies (14)
 State EE associations (13)State EE associations (13)
 EE and nature centers (8)EE and nature centers (8)
 Corporations and foundations (9)Corporations and foundations (9)
 Universities and colleges (3)Universities and colleges (3)
 Museums, aquaria, zoos (1)Museums, aquaria, zoos (1)
Responses to Open-ended QuestionsResponses to Open-ended Questions
State-Level SupportState-Level Support

36.  Three recommendations related to improvingThree recommendations related to improving
future surveys of the status of comprehensivefuture surveys of the status of comprehensive
EE programs.EE programs.
 Nine recommendations for increasing state-levelNine recommendations for increasing state-level
EE capacity and achieving comprehensive EEEE capacity and achieving comprehensive EE
programs.programs.
RecommendationsRecommendations

37. Recommendations Related to Survey
1. Conduct the survey of state comprehensive1. Conduct the survey of state comprehensive
EE programs every 3 years.EE programs every 3 years.
2. Follow-up with state EE leaders where “artifact”2. Follow-up with state EE leaders where “artifact”
information is missing or unclear.information is missing or unclear.
3.3. Make results availableMake results available
through websites, articlesthrough websites, articles
and other promotionaland other promotional
avenues.avenues.

38. Recommendations-Building EE Capacity
1.1. Develop a National EE Capacity Building StrategyDevelop a National EE Capacity Building Strategy..

39. Recommendations-Building EE Capacity
2. Continue programs that support the development of2. Continue programs that support the development of
state/provincial-level comprehensive EE programs.state/provincial-level comprehensive EE programs.

40. Recommendations-Building EE Capacity
3. Provide a program to develop sustainable state and3. Provide a program to develop sustainable state and
provincial EE associations.provincial EE associations.

41. Recommendations-Building EE Capacity
4. Target support to states interested in adoption of the4. Target support to states interested in adoption of the
Guidelines for Excellence, certification, materials review andGuidelines for Excellence, certification, materials review and
other strategic initiatives to build and professionalize theother strategic initiatives to build and professionalize the
field.field.

42. Example
Adoption of NAAEE Guidelines for Excellence
by the EE Association of Washington
October 22, 2005
The EEAW Board of Directors recognizes the importance of the
National Project for Excellence in Environmental Education and
the contributions it has made to environmental education as a
field and in the state of Washington. EEAW formally adopts the
Guidelines and commits to promoting them to members and
partners and to their use in the development and implementation
of organizational activities. The Board also recognizes the value
of integrating the national guidelines with the state guidelines
and standards for professional development to benefit all
educators, formal and nonformal alike, and commits to a process
of intentional alignment

43. Recommendations-Building EE Capacity
5. Develop a business plan and funding to launch aDevelop a business plan and funding to launch a
Leadership Clinic InstituteLeadership Clinic Institute.

44. Recommendations-Building EE Capacity
6. Prioritize funding, training and incentives for culturalPrioritize funding, training and incentives for cultural
competency and stakeholder collaborationcompetency and stakeholder collaboration.

45. Recommendations-Building EE Capacity
7. Encourage foundations and agencies to develop programs
that are longer term and support EE institution building.

46. Recommendations-Building EE Capacity
8. Help EE leaders develop in and out of state funding
resources.

47. Recommendations-Building EE Capacity
9. Develop a media/marketing campaign for EE.

48. THANKTHANK YOU!YOU!
 FundingFunding: EETAP and U.S. EPA Office of EE: EETAP and U.S. EPA Office of EE
 Survey Instrument DevelopmentSurvey Instrument Development: Abby Ruskey and: Abby Ruskey and
Rick Wilke with help from Tracie Beasley, Joe Heimlich,Rick Wilke with help from Tracie Beasley, Joe Heimlich,
Jeremy Higgins, Michelle Kirk, Gus Medina, BoraJeremy Higgins, Michelle Kirk, Gus Medina, Bora
Simmons and Michaela ZintSimmons and Michaela Zint
 Online Survey ServicesOnline Survey Services: Paul Nowak and Nef Straub: Paul Nowak and Nef Straub
 Data Crunchers and Chart MakersData Crunchers and Chart Makers: Amy Heart, Karin: Amy Heart, Karin
Kraft, Abby Ruskey, Nef Straub and Anna SullivanKraft, Abby Ruskey, Nef Straub and Anna Sullivan

49. Questions?Questions?
Thank YOUThank YOU audienceaudience
for your interest in, and commitment tofor your interest in, and commitment to
EE capacity buildingEE capacity building